The Federal Government said it would introduce a fuel tax when the economy stabilises, and Nigerians’ incomes improve sufficiently to accommodate the additional cost.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who made the disclosure, said revenue from the levy would support road infrastructure and the development of a fuel reserve to cushion future price shocks, stressing that implementation would require a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette.

Oyedele spoke during an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

His comments come against the background of previous resistance by organised labour and business groups to the five per cent surcharge on chargeable fossil fuel products provided for in Nigeria’s tax framework. Its commencement remains subject to an order by the finance minister.

He said introducing the tax while petrol was subsidised would have been counterproductive because the government would effectively have paid the charge itself. Imposing it immediately after subsidy removal, he added, would have placed additional pressure on Nigerians.

“The objective should be that instead of trying to suppress prices, which hasn’t worked for us, it hasn’t worked for any country in the world, not one. Instead of trying to suppress prices, think about how to grow income faster than prices rise.

“That’s how you bring prosperity and grow the middle class and that is exactly what we are doing as led by Mr. President himself.

“At the appropriate time, when the economy has stabilised and income level will be able to accommodate it, those taxes will come. Not because we want to impose taxes,” Oyedele said.

The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) has condemned the use of its facility for the production of counterfeit products and other illegal activities, pledging to work with regulatory and law enforcement agencies to rid the complex of such practice

The board also commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its recent enforcement operation, which led to the arrest of two persons allegedly linked to the illegal revalidation of expired drinks and the production of counterfeit consumables within the complex.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of LITFCMB, Veronica Safiya Ndanusa, said the activities were contrary to the board’s commitment to promoting legitimate trade and ethical business practices.

She disclosed that relevant authorities had commenced investigations to establish the facts surrounding the incident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.

Ndanusa warned that individuals and businesses found culpable of engaging in activities that endanger public health or undermine the integrity of local manufacturing would face the full weight of the law.

“As a body rooted in the principles of ethical business practices, transparency and genuine trade, we strongly condemn any activity that threatens public safety or brings the reputation of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board into disrepute,” she said.

“Our facility exists to provide a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to thrive, not to serve as a breeding ground for the production or distribution of counterfeit and substandard products.”

The board chief assured members of the public that the management would collaborate with relevant regulatory and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the complex remained free of illegal activities.

She also urged traders and business operators within the facility to comply with established standards, stressing that the pursuit of profit must never come at the expense of consumers’ health and safety.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has cautioned governments against introducing new taxes or increasing existing tax burdens on vulnerable citizens and productive sectors, warning that such measures could deepen economic hardship.

Oyedele spoke on the sidelines of the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, where he presented a communiqué on behalf of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G24), which he chairs.

“This is the wrong time to impose new taxes or increase the burden of tax, particularly on the vulnerable population and productive sectors of the economy,” he said.

Responding to questions on how developing countries could reduce debt-servicing costs without cutting essential public spending,report quoted Oyedele as urging governments to identify waste, find savings and improve revenue collection before placing additional financial pressure on citizens and businesses.

He said borrowing remained necessary to finance economic growth but stressed that governments must ensure that debt supports job creation and inclusive development.

“Borrowing and debt financing is a necessary condition for growth, and every country emerging, developing must be able to apply debt financing in a way that is overall of positive impact, particularly to stimulate job-rich and inclusive growth,” he said.

The minister also called for available public funds to be prioritised for essential services, including healthcare and education, while private capital could help finance other areas of investment.

On the choice between taxation and borrowing, Oyedele said both options carried consequences and should be considered in the context of their impact on household welfare.

“If you collect taxes, you raise the money now, and that itself has a lot of trade-offs. What taxes are you collecting? You collect taxes from the most vulnerable, and this will deprive them of money to provide food, health, education,” he said.

He argued that excessive taxation could leave low-income households with less money for basic needs, while borrowing also carried future obligations.

“Debt is future taxes, so it’s not one or the other. It’s to strike a balance, bearing in mind ultimately that the essence of tax and of debts is to cater for the people,” Oyedele said.in the report.